I am a southerner that flocked to New York a decade ago to pursue my dreams as an artist.  I have been painting since my youth and was influenced by my grandmother who was a portrait artist and my mother who was our hometowns’ museum art director when I was younger. I always had a natural draw to the arts and was the area I excelled in and enjoyed the most throughout my school years.  I went on to obtain a degree in painting and drawing from the University of Georgia.  I used my degree not only to be a painter but to work in several different facets of the art world that included work in art museums and galleries, as well as a career in makeup artistry.  My art in New York started taking more turns as I folded in experiences and accruing anxieties of a small-town girl in a large city. I began to really tap into the emotional aspect of abstract mark making and vivid color within my imagery.

The portrayals of nature, and the relevance to my own life’s journey becomes so intertwined and immersive the more I discover it through painting.  

My work is expressionistic, with flowing colors and layers. There is an emotional aspect expressing my journey to get to the inner calm. A yoga teacher certification in 2020 further informed my work, breathing spirituality and meditation into my paintings. They often have mantras written underneath them or possess symbolic meanings especially pertaining to nature.  The colors and abstracted imagery refence a place within that I retreat to…A sanctuary.  The discovery of the emotional reaction of the world around me in the action of painting makes each piece so surprising yet ritualistic.

www.katiebacon.com

What continues to motivate you to create your work?

I am endlessly inspired by nature, and my work is often motivated by the parallels of our emotions and the vibrational pulls of the earth. Painting for me is cathartic, relaxing, and therapeutic. The action of painting is more like a meditation and a place to let go.

Who or what influences your practice?

Both my grandmother and mother are artists and have been huge influences in my practice. And my favorite teachers in school were my art teachers; they always encouraged me to pursue my passion.

How would you describe the mood of your work?

The mood of my work is often happy and bright. Painting is my outlet and I like to escape in dream-like imagery using tons of color.

What do you feel is the most challenging part of being an artist?

There are many different types of challenges that artists face in their careers, and my current challenge is finding the create vs. administrative balance.    

Tell us about something from your creative life that you are particularly proud of.

A highlight in my artistic career was a 2016 museum show in my hometown of Albany, GA. When I was little, I dreamed of having a show there and thought to myself that if I could get there, I would really be doing things. I was extremely grateful for this opportunity and proud to share my art with the community I grew up in.